Accident / x5 (Pics)

[StanF18]

Originally Posted by bimmerboy12

DO NOT get your insurance involved. Some insurance companies want to get involved to make money on something, when they shouldn't. The entire process should transpire with no involvement from your insurance.

HUH?

OK, that makes like NO sense at all. Why would he go out-of-pocket for a $4,000+ repair? This is EXACTLY the time to rely on insurance. And regardless of who's fault it is, you always start off by calling your OWN insurance company to get everything documented by them. It does not matter if the other person's insurance company is responsible for footing the bill, you need your OWN insurance company to do the bidding on your behalf and have THEM chase down the other insurance company. This is a process called subrogation.

bd3500: I am very suprised that you had to deal with the other person's insurance company at all. GEICO should have been handling this and talking to the other insurance on their own, without getting you involved with State Farm. In this situation, State Farm is not interested in helping you, they are interested in helping their own insured. GEICO should have been the one to contact State Farm regarding subrogation, not you. Make sure you do not speak to State Farm ever again. If they contact you, tell them you have nothing to say and tell them to contact your insurance.

As far as OEM parts are concerned: the laws may vary by state. I know for a fact that in NJ you have every right to DEMAND OEM parts for your repair. Reputable body shops can, and do establish good rapport with the insurance adjusters, such that the automobile gets fixed to your liking and only with OEM parts.

You also have every right in NJ to request a body shop of your OWN choosing as long as they are officially licensed. Of course, the insurance company will still try to steer you to one of their pre-contracted body shops, but you are allowed to refuse and take it to one of your own choosing.

If they still have not started work on your car, I would call the local BMW dealer and ask which body shop they use for their newer models. Most BMW dealers only use reputable body shops that are experienced in working on high-end German makes. Then call that body shop directly (cut out the dealer) and explain the whole situation to them from start to finish. Again if the insurance law is the same as NJ, GEICO cannot refuse a body shop that you have chosen yourself.

FWIW, I have GEICO also. They took very good care of me when I was rear-ended a few years back and my X was brought back to mint condition using only OEM parts at a BMW-certified top-notch body shop.

Good luck!